It was rumored that the owner of a certain hardware store had discovered a cure for arthritis. As you might imagine, this stirred a great deal of interest in the small town where the hardware store was located.

One day, the locals saw a little old lady, bent over on her cane, enter the store for a visit. A little later this same lady came out walking almost perfectly straight with her head held high. The crowd cheered. “It’s a miracle!” they declared. Then they wondered. What did the owner of the hardware store do that allowed this poor lady to overcome her affliction?

The little old lady explained the so-called miracle. “He sold me,” she said, “a longer cane.” (1)

I will admit, it’s not a great joke. But it does frame our topic for the day. Here’s a question I want you to consider does…